18 of the
386 complaints about the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE are about the
electrical system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
60,000 miles.
D
18
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
1688.9%
Wiring
15.6%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers
15.6%
Electrical System across every Hyundai Santa FE year
LAST NIGHT MY MOTHERS 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CAUGHT FIRE THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS, THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY OFF. IT MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SINCE UNTILL I DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THE LAWSUIT FOR THIS SAME THING AND I WONDERED WHY THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. I ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE WONDERING THE SAME THING ABOUT THEIR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. MY FATHER WAS THE ONLY ONE IAT THE HOUSE AND IN THE HOUSE HE COULD HAVE LOST HIS LIFE AND EVERYTHING THEY OWN THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW IT WAS ON FIRE WAS A NEIGHBOR SAW AND STARTED SCREAMING AND STARTED BACKING UP TO THE VEHICLE TO PULL IT AWAY FROM THE HOUSE A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE BUT WHAT IS SHE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR A VEHICLE? WHEN NO ONE EVEN STARTED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11387389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesWoodland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN I5 GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE NEXT EXIT. IT STARTED AFTER SITTING A FEW MINUTES. AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I'VE RECEIVED CODES FOR CAMSHAFT SENSOR, MISFIRES, LOW CATALYST. I'VE CHANGED THE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS, COILS, SPARK PLUGS, TIMING BELT AND ASSEMBLY, FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND FUEL PUMP OVER THE PAST YEAR. STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. CAR DRIVES FANTASTIC FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND STALLS OUT. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 5 MIN. IT CAN BE DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER FEW MILES BEFORE STALLING OUT AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN IT STALLS NOW. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IN TOWN OR ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL STALL OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10825883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,389 milesStatin Island, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED TO CALL THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE SPO NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,389.
NHTSA complaint #10743649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,052 milesCookeville, TN1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE, THE AIR BAG IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, INJURING MY BACK AND MY LEFT KNEE. MY CHIROPRACTOR GOT MY BACK SOMEWHAT REPAIRED, BUT MY KNEE ENDED UP HAVING A MENISCUS TEAR THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO REPLACE WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT FOR MEDICAL CARE AND TO FIX MY CAR. I WILL BE HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE THANKS TO THIS AIR BAG INCIDENT. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD PAY FOR ALL FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT BUT .... THEY INVESTIGATED AND ARE SAYING THAT THE "COMPUTER SHOWS AN IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT" SO THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND REIMBURSE ONLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY SAY FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE THIS WAY. THEIR PRODUCT CAUSED IT, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE!
NHTSA complaint #10661314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,400 milesRochester, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS TUES. OCT. 21 BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. IT STALLED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY ROAD. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. IT DID START BUT DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN. HOWEVER, IT DID. THE SECOND TIME WAS YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A FOUR LANE ROAD AT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I WAS SO THANKFUL IT WAS LATER IN THE EVENING AND TRAFFIC WAS VERY MINIMAL. I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT DID START BUT AGAIN DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT WOULD CONTINUE. IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN BUT DID NOT, 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT HOME. I CALLED THIS MORNING TO GET IT RIGHT IN AND NEVER HEARD BACK. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC ON MOST OF THESE ROADS. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE I WAS TAKEN SERIOUSLY EVEN THOUGH I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPT. BUT HAVE MANAGED TO MISPLACE IT. I DO NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED A PANEL LIGHT DID COME ON. IT WAS THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE DEATH WITH THIS HAPPENING TO THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10650538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesNorth Riverside, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10640000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,863 milesRochester, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT WARNING. WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET IT AS IT WAS STILL ROLLING. NO INDICATIONS CAME ON AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE MAY POINT TO. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED FOR A TOW TO MY HOME WHICH I TOTAL TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES. ONCE AT HOME THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO ISSUES. FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS MY VEHICLE WAS AT MY MECHANICS AND HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I WENT AHEAD AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION. FLUSHED AS HIM AND I HAD DISCUSSED AS ONE OF THE LAST THINGS TO GET SERVICED BEFORE WINTER. LATER THAT DAY I DROVE A LONGER DISTANCE WITH TOP SPEED ABOUT 65 MPH WITH NO ISSUES. JUST AS I WAS RETURNING HOME THE CAR SHUTDOWN AS I WAS CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE ROLLING VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ATTEMPTED TO START A FEW TIMES BUT AFTER A NOT SO PLEASANT SOUND LEFT IT OFF. AFTER BEING COMPLETELY OFF FOR 30 TO 45 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. MY SEARCH ON THE ISSUE POINTS TO A CRANKSHAFT PROTECTION SENSOR, BUT THIS IS NOT A CLEAR SOLUTION AND A COSTLY THING TO FIX IF THIS DOES NOT RESOLVE. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE WITH NO DEFINITIVE RESOLUTION FOR HYUNDAI OWNERS EVEN BY HYUNDAI TECHNICIANS AS THEY TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAVE HAPPEN AND SOME OF THE VEHICLE JERKS ARE RATHER HARD AND VIOLENT. BEFORE THESE SHUTDOWNS BECOME DEADLY PLEASE ADDRESS. MY LAST EXPERIENCE WAS 10/18 MY VEHICLE IS AT MY MECHANIC TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10548940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesCranston, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3RD TIME CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT IN 1 YEAR/5 MONTHS. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ALL 3 TIMES, CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN APPEARS AND SECONDS LATER THE CAR SHUTS OFF. TWICE WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND LUCKY WE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO GET OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE BEFORE THE CAR SHUT DOWN. 3 TIMES IN A YEAR AND 5 MONTHS, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN... ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR THE LAST YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10349641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesStaunton, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS AGAIN REPROGRAMMED. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #10340733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,109 milesBoca Raton, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE DOCUMENTED 8 TIMES THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED IN MY CAR - TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY KEEP SAYING DUE TO CORROSION ON WIRES BUT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT EVERY 3-4 MTHS THAT HAPPENS - I DO NOT LIVE NEAR THE BEACH. THE CAR WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY END OF THIS YEAR AND I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS NOT BEING SOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10264953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesCogan Station, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. DEALER GOT IT TO GO OUT, BUT IF IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN THEY SAY THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALER CANNOT SAY IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND SAYS THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SAY EITHER. NOW, THE LIGHT IS OUT BEHIND THE HEATER CONTROL BUTTON. ONCE AGAIN DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY WIRING. FAULTY WIRING SOUNDS LIKE A FACTORY PROBLEM TO ME. ALL SERVICES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN DONE SINCE DAY ONE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10262119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,200 milesNorthridge, CACrash5 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A USED 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN AUG/2005 FROM A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (# ). IN AUG/2006, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RESULTS WERE "CODE B1382 PSAB RESISTANCE HIGH - RESECURE CONNECTOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT/CLEAR CODE". IN FEB/2008, THE AIRBAG SENSOR AGAIN APPEARED. THE SAME TECHNICAL CODE WAS DETECTED, AND THE DEALERSHIP RESOLUTION WAS TO "REROUTE WIRE HARNESS". IN MAR/2008, THE AIRBAG LIGHT AGAIN APPEARED AND WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARING. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE IN NOV/2008, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE AIRBAG FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE WARRANTY, AT WHICH TIME, THEY WERE INFORMED THAT A COMPLAINT WOULD BE FILED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW DUE TO REPEAT FIXES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP THEN FIXED THE ISSUE. ON NOV. 26, 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A HIGH-SPEED REAR END COLLISION (~35MPH) WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION, WHERE IT BROADSIDED A MOVING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACTS, THE HYUNDAI WAS TOTALED, ALL REAR SEATED PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURY DUE TO THE SPARE TIRE BEING LIFTED FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT AND RAISING THE 60/40 SPLIT REAR SEAT AND PUSHING IT FORWARD, THE FRONT PASSENGER RECEIVED CHEST CONTUSIONS AND THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED UPPER BODY INJURIES. DESPITE BEING PUSHED FORWARD AND MAKING A STRONG IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I REQUESTED HYUNDAI INVESTIGATE THE MATTER, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED FROM THE SECONDARY IMPACT, IT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I RESEARCHED COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS REGARDING REPEATED AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REPAIRS AND OTHER AIRBAG FAILURES, INCLUDING STORIES OF CRASHES INTO POLES WITH FAILED AIRBAGS. HYUNDAI HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL, BUT THEY PROBABLY SHOULD.
NHTSA complaint #10260997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesCanton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED DOWN TO 0 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER PICKED BACK UP BETWEEN 2-5 MINUTES. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED 2-3 TIMES A DAY.*AK UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.
NHTSA complaint #10169180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sedro Wooley, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO HAVE POWER STEERING, CAR LURCHES WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN MOVING FROM A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10146921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesTijeras, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE END OF JANUARY 2004 OR BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2004 WHILE IN THE CAR IT SHOUT OFF AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE CAR JUST STARTED UP BY ITSELF. THEN, IN APRIL 2004 THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. GOT A RECALL 03V030000 NOTICE ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH STATED IT WOULD STALL IN COLD DAMP WEATHER, TOOK VEHICLE TTO HE DEALER THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. . THEN IN JUNE 2004 WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON A SUNSHINE DAY THE CAR DID SAME THING. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY ASSURED CONSUMER THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. EARLY AUGUST THE CAR STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AGAIN, SAID THEY FIXED IT AGAIN. LATE AUGUST, TWO DAYS AFTER THE I GOT THE CAR BACK,K THE CAR STALLED AGAIN.ALSO, SEPT 12, 2004 THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10121686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesPeterstown, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONTACT STATES: WHILE DRIVING RADIO WAS GOING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND REPLACED RADIO BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH LOCKS. WHILE ON INTERSTATE OR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME THE LOCKS BEGIN FLIPPING ON AND OFF. HAD TO REPLACE TWO INTERIOR LIGHT BULBS AS WELL. DEALER DOES NOT LISTEN TO COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10119539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112 milesSacramento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAILURE: GAS GAUGE, ACCELERATION ISSUE, AND SEAT BELT SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10098110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesAustin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE NIGHT I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICAL I HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THIS WAS TO BE FIX BY DEALERSHIP, WELL NOW 8/15/2004 THERE ARE MORE ELEC. PROBLEMS THE FUSES ARE BLOWING AND THE BRAKES ARE NOT STOPPING AS SHOULD BE.ALSO THE TRASMISSION WHEN APPLING THE GAS PULLS TO THE RIGHT, AND BETWEEN 40/60 MPH JECKSING SENSATION TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10086919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.